Oluwo of Iwo, Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has publicly accused Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, of conspiring to remove him from power. In a recent viral video, Akanbi asserted that despite supporting Ogunwusi’s rise to the throne, the Ooni now seeks to undermine his authority.
Akanbi recalled actively assisting Ogunwusi during legal challenges threatening his enthronement. “As a friend, I contacted Tunji Ogunwusi to secure his throne, but he underestimated me,” he stated. He emphasized intervening when a court case jeopardized Ogunwusi’s bid, claiming he mobilized stakeholders to resolve it swiftly.
Specifically, Akanbi described phoning a key official to dismiss the lawsuit. “The case closed Friday; Adeyeye became Ooni Saturday,” he declared. Despite this, he now alleges betrayal, accusing Ogunwusi of engineering his suspension from Osun State’s Council of Obas.
Furthermore, Akanbi accused the Ooni of collaborating with rival monarchs to destabilize his reign. He also claimed Ogunwusi criticized him to Governor Ademola Adeleke, framing his opposition to idol worship as divisive. “Last month, he attacked me before the governor and manipulated my ex-wife against me,” Akanbi alleged.
Nevertheless, the Oluwo remains defiant, vowing no force can unseat him. “His removal plots will fail. Only my past support enabled his kingship,” he asserted. He dismissed threats to his life or throne, framing his legitimacy as unshakable.
In response, Ooni’s media director, Moses Olafare, dismissed the claims as baseless. “We ignore such attention-seeking rants. The Ooni prioritizes development, not petty conflicts,” he stated. Olafare noted this wasn’t the first time Akanbi made unsubstantiated allegations, reaffirming their refusal to engage.
Meanwhile, the feud has stirred debates among Osun traditional leaders, though neither side has presented evidence. Critics urge restraint, fearing public discord among revered monarchs. Supporters of both rulers remain divided, with some calling for mediation to resolve the tensions.
Akanbi’s allegations highlight deeper rivalries in Yoruba traditional politics, where historical alliances and disputes often resurface. Observers note that such conflicts risk overshadowing communal progress, urging leaders to prioritize unity.
As tensions persist, the public awaits formal resolutions, though neither party shows willingness to retreat. The situation underscores the fragile balance of power and pride within Nigeria’s traditional institutions, where legacy and influence remain fiercely contested.
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